The Administration of Jagannath Temple During British Rule

The management of the Jagannath Temple in Puri underwent significant changes following the British occupation of Orissa in 1803. The East India Company assumed control of the temple's administration, emphasizing the need to respect its sacredness. Marquis of Wellesley, in his directives to Lt. Col. Campbell, specifically prohibited the appropriation of any property or valuables associated with the temple or its priests by the British army, highlighting the temple's cultural importance.

In the initial years, the East India Company managed the temple through Parichhas (caretakers), balancing the temple’s receipts and expenditures much like the Marathas before them. However, as time progressed, the British sought to minimize their involvement in the temple's religious rites. By 1806, the administration shifted to an assembly of three Pundits, but this arrangement was short-lived. In 1809, the assembly was dissolved, and the management was entrusted to the Raja of Khurda (now Puri), who became the hereditary Superintendent of the temple under British supervision.

By 1840, the British government granted the Raja of Puri full authority over the temple's management and abolished the pilgrim tax, a move aimed at severing ties with Hindu temple administration. Despite these changes, the British retained fiscal control, initially resuming temple endowments and providing an annual cash payment for its upkeep.

The temple's administration faced challenges after the death of Raja Birakishore Dev in 1859. His widow, Suryamani Pattamahadei, managed temple affairs during the minority of her adopted heir, Dibyasingh Dev. Unfortunately, her administration was marked by negligence and corruption, causing discontent among temple employees and tenants. This deterioration in management led to Dibyasingh Dev's conviction for murder in 1878, resulting in a chaotic administration and prompting the government to seek new trustees.

In 1885, the government initiated a lawsuit to declare the office of the Superintendent vacant and appoint new trustees. This legal battle saw significant public agitation, with Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das advocating for Ranee Suryamani. Ultimately, the government dropped the case, allowing the Ranee to hire a competent manager until her grandson, Mukunda Dev, reached maturity. However, mismanagement persisted even after his ascension.

By the time Raja Rama Chandra Dev succeeded Mukunda Dev after his death in 1926, the temple administration had further deteriorated. This prompted the Orissa government to consider legislative action to restore order and preserve the temple's sanctity.

In 1952, the Orissa Legislative Assembly passed the Puri Shri Jagannath Temple (Administration) Act, aiming to address the ongoing mismanagement. A Special Officer, ranked as a District Judge, was appointed to assess the temple's affairs, revealing severe administrative issues. This led to the establishment of the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1954, which remains the foundation of the temple's current administration.

The 1954 Act instituted a Managing Committee for the temple, chaired by the Raja of Puri, and set forth criteria for membership, ensuring that only Hindus could serve. The Collector of Puri was designated as the Vice-Chairman, overseeing the temple's operations alongside the committee. The Act empowered the Administrator, responsible for the temple's executive functions and custody of its records and properties.

Through these legislative changes, the Jagannath Temple's administration evolved from colonial oversight to a structured governance model, striving to preserve its revered status amidst the challenges of the British era.